Lota vs Manly: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Lota and Manly are both Brisbane City Council suburbs, sitting 15.8 km and 15.9 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Manly runs $1,279 a year cheaper than Lota, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $14,662.
Over 10 years, Manly costs about $14,700 less to run than Lota — the same as paying $14,700 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
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Manly
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Lota | Manly | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $950 | $950 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $4,431 | $4,452 | -$21 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,200 | $1,900 | +$1,300 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,800 | $2,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $10,481 | $9,202 | +$1,279 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,242 | $4,942 | +$1,300 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Lota | Manly | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,135 | $2,135 | - |
| Unit | $1,776 | $1,776 | - |
Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for each suburb's climate zone at 2026-27 regulated prices for each suburb's electricity network, including supply charge (AER Default Market Offer caps, or the QCA price in regional Queensland; unit ≈ 75% of a house). Get the free report for a breakdown by your exact number of occupants.
Cost breakdown chart
Annual cost breakdown — Lota vs Manly (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Manly costs $1,279 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $14,662 in favour of Manly.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $1,300 per year. Lota carries medium flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $1,300 per year, $6,242 from Lota versus $4,942 from Manly.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $950 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,900 a year.
- Driving commute favours Lota by $21 a year, $4,431 against $4,452.
- Building insurance favours Manly by $1,300 a year, $1,900 against $3,200.
Both suburbs sit in the same council area, so the rates line is identical and none of the difference between them comes from council. What separates them is commute distance and the insurance band.
Flood risk is rated medium in Lota against low in Manly, which feeds the insurance estimate. Fire risk is rated high in Lota against low in Manly, which feeds the insurance estimate. The catchment state school scores 8.6 in Manly against 7.5 in Lota, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Lota cumulative | Manly cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,481 | $9,202 | $1,279 |
| Year 3 | $32,396 | $28,442 | $3,954 |
| Year 5 | $55,645 | $48,855 | $6,790 |
| Year 10 | $120,153 | $105,491 | $14,662 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Lota or Manly cheaper to live in?
Manly is cheaper to run by car at $9,202 per year versus $10,481 for Lota, a difference of $1,279 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Lota and Manly?
Annual council rates for a house are $950 in Lota (Brisbane City Council) and $950 in Manly (Brisbane City Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Lota and $1,900 in Manly. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Lota and Manly?
Annual driving commute costs are $4,431 from Lota and $4,452 from Manly to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Lota and $192 from Manly.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Lota and Manly?
At 3% annual cost growth, Lota costs a cumulative $120,153 and Manly costs $105,491 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $14,662 in favour of Manly. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Lota and Manly is best to actually live in?
You've got the costs. Get the free personalised report for the rest: a clear verdict on which suburb wins, the full flood, fire and crime risk profile, nearest schools, estimated electricity cost by number of occupants, and your own loan or rent stress-tested over 10 years. No spam.
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Sources: Brisbane City Council and Brisbane City Council rate data, water utility pricing (QLD: Queensland Urban Utilities / Unitywater; NSW: Sydney Water / Hunter Water), ATO 91c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.